Product Description
Magnificent hand-crafted sterling silver ring by Navajo artist, Vernon Begaye. Vernon has created a masterpiece inlaid with Kingman turquoise, lapis and coral on the underside. The sides are inlaid with hand-cut spiny oyster shell and dalmation agate on one side and New Lander and ironwood on the other side. The ironwood is beautifully set with Morenci Turquoise and silver making a very artistic statement. Sculpted silver flanks the top with another sculptural silver piece in the center. Finishing the ring on top are hand-cut and set black jade, coral, lapis, New Lander and Fox turquoise.
Vernon Begaye was born in 1965 and began practicing silversmithing techniques around the age of nine under the supervision of his jewelry-making parents Jimmy and Ella-Mae Begaye. He was the recipient of the 1993 Southwest American Indian Artists Fellowship Award for Most Promising Artist, which allowed him to pursue further education in jewelry making, including courses with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). He specializes in tufa cast work that merges traditional and contemporary designs. He is especially known for his sculptural silver work, innovative and inlaid designs.
